Press Release

Irish Film New York: A Weekend of the Best of Contemporary Irish Film

A new Irish contemporary screening series, Sept. 30–Oct. 2, 2011 at New York University's Cantor Film Center features New York debut of "Knuckle," a documentary HBO is making into a dramatic series.

New York, NY, September 09, 2011 --(PR.com)-- Irish Film New York (IFNY) brings the best in contemporary Irish filmmaking to New York University’s Cantor Film Center for a three-day, six-film screening series. Opening the festival on Sept. 30, 2011 is the New York premiere of the documentary Knuckle, a visceral look at the violent world of bare-knuckle boxing among Ireland’s Traveler community, opening in theatres in December of 2011. HBO is adapting the documentary into a new drama series.

Irish Film New York includes the Galway Film Festival-winning feature Parked, starring Colm Meaney, a story of friendship, hope, and perseverance between two “neighbors” living in their cars. Also new to New York is The Runway, inspired by the true story of a South American plane that crashes in a County Cork town and how the town comes together to send the pilot home, featuring Weeds star Demián Bichir.

IFNY is partnering with the San Francisco Irish Film Festival and the Los Angles Irish Film Festival to bring the filmmakers of Knuckle, Parked, and The Runway on a tri-city tour in anticipation of each film’s U.S. release later this year.

“We created Irish Film New York to connect New York’s avid film audiences with the best films and filmmakers coming out Ireland today,” IFNY founder Niall McKay said.

Established through partnerships with New York University’s Glucksman Ireland House, Culture Ireland, the Irish Film Board and the Irish Film Institute, IFNY features six feature-length films, a series of shorts including Academy Award-nominees, filmmaker Q&As, panel discussions, filmmaker receptions and industry events such as a documentary showcase.

Films are screened at NYU’s Cantor Film Center, located at 36 East 8th Street, on Sept. 30, Oct. 1 and Oct. 2. Tickets are $12; $10 for students and members of Glucksman Ireland House NYU. Festival Passes are $60 for six screenings. Tickets and full list of films with background information and video previews are available via www.irishfilmnyc.com. IFNY is part of Imagine Ireland: a year-long celebration of Irish arts in the United States in 2011.

About Irish Film New YorkIrish Film New York was founded by Niall McKay, the founder and director of the San Francisco Irish Film Festival and the co-founder of the LA Irish Film Festival. IFNY is co-presented by NYU’s Glucksman Ireland House and funded by Culture Ireland and supported by the Irish Film Institute and the Irish Film Board. For more information please visit www.irishfilmnyc.com.